“Today, after weeks of negotiations behind closed doors by a small group of Republican Senators, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled the Senate Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Much like the House-passed bill that I opposed, the Senate plan rolls back health care coverage for the neediest Americans in order to pay for enormous tax breaks for the wealthiest. It forever shrinks Medicaid, includes grave cuts to Planned Parenthood, enables higher deductibles, and lets states opt out of requiring that insurance companies cover essential health benefits, like hospital visits, maternity care, and mental health services.

“Now, for the first time in this hurried process, patient advocates, doctors, and the vast majority of our Senators have the opportunity to read the bill. The Congressional Budget Office will release its assessment next week. I hope my colleagues in the Senate look deep into their hearts and remember that we are fundamentally an empathetic, caring and decent nation. They must oppose this bill.”